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Handwashing: Tips for Patients, Family, and Friends

Germs are everywhere around us. Normally, we live with germs without getting sick. In certain cases, harmful germs cause us to get sick with an infection. Or we can spread harmful germs to others and cause them to get sick. Keeping your hands clean is the best way to prevent getting or spreading germs that cause infection. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

When to clean your hands: For patients

In the hospital or in your home, you can come in contact with many harmful germs. To help prevent infection, wash your hands often, especially:

After using the bathroom

Before and after eating

After coughing or sneezing

After using a tissue

After touching or changing a dressing or bandage

After touching any object or surface that may be contaminated

After touching an animal during a pet therapy session (hospital)

After touching an animal, cleaning up after a pet, or preparing food for pets (home)

If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand gel containing at least 60% alcohol. These products kill most germs and are easy to use. But use soap and water (not alcohol-based hand gel) if your hands are visibly dirty.

When to clean your hands: For family and friends

When visiting or caring for a loved one, washing your hands or using an alcohol-based hand cleaner can help stop germs from spreading. Wash your hands:

Before entering and after leaving the patient’s room

As soon as you remove gloves or other protective clothing

After changing a dressing or bandage

After any contact with blood or other body fluids

After touching or changing the patient’s bed linen or towels

After touching an animal during a pet therapy session (hospital)

After touching an animal, cleaning up after a pet, or preparing food for pets (home)

Many hospitals have sinks or gel dispensers right outside patient rooms. If not, carry a bottle of alcohol-based hand gel with you, and use it every time you visit. Use soap and water (not alcohol-based hand gel) if your hands are visibly dirty.

Tips for good handwashing

Here are some suggestions to follow:

Use warm water and plenty of soap. Work up a good lather.

Clean the whole hand, including under your nails, between your fingers, and up the wrists.

Wash for at least 15 to 20 seconds. Don’t just wipe. Scrub well.

Rinse, letting the water run down your fingers, not up your wrists.

Dry your hands well. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.

Time matters

The longer you wash your hands, the more germs you’ll remove. Most people wash their hands for 6 to 7 seconds. But at least 15 seconds are needed to remove germs. Singing Happy Birthday or the Alphabet Song are examples of how long 15 seconds would be. To protect yourself and others from infection, washing for 30 seconds is best.

How to use an alcohol-based hand cleaner

Alcohol-based hand cleaners may kill more germs than soap and water. Use them when your hands aren’t visibly dirty. For best results, follow these steps:

Choose a gel or spray that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Products with less alcohol may not kill germs.

Spread about a tablespoon of cleaner in the palm of one hand.

Rub your hands together briskly, cleaning the backs of your hands, the palms, between your fingers, and up the wrists.